SHILLONG, Aug 12: United Democratic Party MLA Lahkmen Rymbui feels that Meghalaya needs willpower more than manpower to deal with the challenge of influx.
He told reporters on Tuesday that the state government, civil societies and citizens need to have the willpower to address this challenge if the state is to be protected from illegal immigrants.
He said the ongoing eviction drives in Assam will indirectly affect Meghalaya as the evictees will try to take shelter in the state. Time has come for the state to be vigilant, he added.
He said he welcomes any rules, laws or regulations that safeguard the interest of the state but added that it is important such regulations are implemented in letter and spirit.
Rymbui, whose Amlarem constituency shares a border with Bangladesh, urged the central government to ensure the early completion of the border fencing work.
Terming the rise in incidents of infiltration by Bangladeshis into Meghalaya as alarming, he warned that things will become difficult for the state if infiltration continues. Calling for relentless vigil, he said some portions of the border in his constituency and in other parts of the state are yet to be fenced as landowners are opposing the policy of fencing within 150 yards of the zero line.
“If fencing takes place from the zero line, they will not oppose it. They will lose their land and livelihood if fencing takes place 150 yards inside (Meghalaya),” Rymbui said.
He said the Border Security Force (BSF) and other authorities have assured the landowners that they will be allowed to do farming at their fields even beyond the fencing. He added that it is easier said than done.
Meghalaya shares a 443 km border with Bangladesh, 59 km of which remain unfenced. The BSF has expressed its intent to complete it.
Recently, the BSF Inspector General OP Upadhyay briefed Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on critical issues relating to border security, cross-border movement, and the need for enhanced coordination between the BSF and state agencies.
